Photoelectric conversion element and process for fabricating the same, electronic apparatus and process for fabricating the same, and semiconductor layer and process for forming the same

Abstract

A paste in which semiconductor fine grain such as titanium oxide fine grain or the like and a binder made of a polymer compound are mixed is coated onto a transparent conductive substrate and sintered, thereby forming a semiconductor layer made of the semiconductor fine grain, after that, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the semiconductor layer and, by using a photocatalyst effect of the semiconductor fine grain, an organic substance remaining in the semiconductor layer is removed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates to a photoelectric conversion device, its manufacturing method, an electronic apparatus, its manufacturing method, a semiconductor layer, and its manufacturing method and is suitable when it is applied to, for example, a photoelectric conversion device using a semiconductor layer made of semiconductor fine grain, particularly, a semiconductor layer made of semiconductor fine grain sensitized by dye. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Since a solar cell as a photoelectric conversion device to convert sunlight into an electric energy uses the sunlight as an energy source, an influence that is exercises to the global environment is extremely small and it is expected to be spread further. [0003] Various materials have been examined as a material of the solar cell and a number of solar cells using silicon have been commercialized. They are mainly classified into: a crystalline silicon solar cell using single crystal silicon or poly crystal silicon; and an ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0054] According to the invention constructed as mentioned above, the paste in which the semiconductor fine grain and the binder made of the polymer compound are mixed is coated and sintered, thereby forming the semiconductor layer made of the semiconductor fine grain. After that, by irradiating the ultraviolet rays to the semiconductor layer, the organic substance remaining in the semiconductor layer is oxidization dissolved by the photocatalyst effect of the semiconductor fine grain, becomes carbon dioxide, water, and the like, and is removed. Particularly, by sufficiently irradiating the ultraviolet rays, it is possible to realize the state where the organic substance does not substantially remain in the semiconductor layer. As disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2, if the semiconductor fine grain is made of titanium oxide, the surface changes to the surface having hydrophilicity (the surface hydroxyl group increases), so that a binding force between the semiconductor fine grain increases and the electron movement between the semiconductor fine grain becomes easy. At the same time, if the semiconductor fine grain is made of titanium oxide, a coupling force between the sensitizing dye and a carboxyl group is also increased due to an increase in surface hydroxyl group. The electron movement between the dye and the semiconductor fine grain made of titanium oxide also becomes easy. Consequently, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved.

Problems solved by technology

However, in the crystalline silicon solar cell, although photoelectric conversion efficiency indicative of performance of converting the light (solar) energy into the electric energy is higher than that of the amorphous silicon solar cell, since a large energy and a long time are required for a crystal growth, productivity is low and it is disadvantageous in terms of costs.

Further, in the amorphous silicon solar cell, although the productivity is higher than that of the crystalline silicon solar cell, a vacuum process is necessary upon manufacturing in a manner similar to the crystalline silicon solar cell and a facility related cost is still heavy.

However, since most of those solar cells have the low photoelectric conversion efficiency of about 1%, they are not put into practical use.

This obstructs combination of the semiconductor fine grain, resulting in deterioration of the photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Also in this case, the photoelectric conversion efficiency deteriorates.

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